Robbers Kill Lagos Hairstylist in Brutal Attack

LAGOS, NIGERIA — A professional hairstylist identified as Sebastine Timothy has been brutally murdered by suspected robbers in the Satellite Town area of Lagos State. The shocking incident has left residents in mourning and reignited concerns about growing insecurity and cult-related violence in the state.

According to reports, the attack occurred late on Sunday night in the Olasanoye Street area of the community, shortly after the victim returned home from work.

A police source who spoke to PUNCH Metro on condition of anonymity revealed that the robbers targeted Timothy’s apartment soon after he arrived home. The attackers allegedly broke into his residence, robbed him of his belongings, and then forced him to transfer money from his bank account before shooting him in the head.

“A complaint was made to the police on Monday morning that he was attacked in his apartment after returning from work on Sunday night,” the source said. “The robbers took his belongings, transferred a certain amount of money from his account, and then shot him before fleeing the scene.”

Neighbours later discovered Timothy’s lifeless body after hearing multiple gunshots during the night. They immediately alerted authorities, who arrived to find that the robbers had already escaped.

Possible Cult Connection to the Robbers

While initial reports identified the perpetrators as robbers, a social media channel known for exposing cult-related violence — Confra Naija — suggested that the incident may have been linked to a cult attack rather than a random robbery.

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, the platform alleged that members of the Eiye cult group were behind the killing. According to their version of events, the assailants had originally intended to attack Timothy’s brother, who is believed to be a member of a rival gang known as Aye.

“The Eiye cultists came to attack Sebastine’s brother, who is a member of Aye. When they didn’t find him, they turned on Sebastine. They forced him to unlock his phone and transfer money to them before shooting him in the head,” the post read.

The account has added a new layer of complexity to the case, raising questions about whether Timothy’s death was a case of mistaken identity, retaliation, or a violent robbery by robbers posing as cult members.

Friends and neighbours have taken to social media to mourn the death of the young hairstylist, describing him as humble, hardworking, and deeply loved in the community.

A Facebook user, Glory Hope, wrote a heartfelt tribute, saying:

“Very hardworking guy, why did this happen to you, na? Very good barber, chai! I feel so sad since I heard the news. RIP, guy.”

The senseless killing has sparked outrage among residents, who say they are living in fear due to the rising number of attacks by robbers and cult groups in Lagos suburbs like Satellite Town, Ojo, and Alaba.

When contacted for comment, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed that police were investigating the incident. However, she offered a slightly different version of events, saying that the deceased sustained a serious head injury during a fight with unidentified men in the community.

“He sustained an injury to the head and died on his way to the hospital. The police can’t say if it is a gunshot injury or a machete cut,” Adebisi explained. “The family reported the incident and later took his corpse to the mortuary.”

The police have yet to confirm whether the suspects were robbers, cultists, or individuals involved in a personal dispute. However, officers have reportedly increased patrols in the area to prevent further incidents.

The killing of Sebastine Timothy is not an isolated case. In October 2025, PUNCH Metro reported that armed robbers attacked a barbershop in the Cele Nica community in the Ojo Local Government Area, killing two teenage customers identified as Chijindu and Akorede.

That attack, too, sparked widespread fear and prompted calls for improved police visibility in high-risk communities. Many residents believe that both cult groups and robbers are exploiting weak law enforcement to terrorize neighborhoods.

Local business owners and artisans say they now close their shops earlier in the evening, fearing potential attacks. Community leaders have also urged the Lagos State Police Command to intensify intelligence operations and ensure that those responsible for Timothy’s death are brought to justice.

As investigations continue, friends and family of the slain hairstylist are demanding justice. They insist that the robbers who took his life must be identified and prosecuted to deter future attacks.

Human rights advocates have also weighed in, urging the government to address the root causes of insecurity, including unemployment, poverty, and lack of youth development programs — factors that often drive young people into crime and cultism.

For now, the community remains in grief and fear, hoping that the tragic death of Sebastine Timothy will not become just another unsolved case in Lagos State’s growing record of violent crimes committed by robbers and arm gangs.

Source- Punchng